Magnetic assembly for a bicycle monitoring device

ABSTRACT

A magnetic assembly is provided for a bicycle monitoring device. The magnetic assembly includes a magnetic device that mounts on a special spoke of a wheel. This magnetic device has a housing with a magnet secured thereto. The housing has a spoke-receiving recess that receives the spoke. The housing can be secured to the spoke within the spoke-receiving recess via a snap-fit or an elastic fit. In one embodiment, the spoke-receiving recess of the housing has a projection that engages a concavity form in the connecting portion of the spoke. In another embodiment, the spoke-receiving recess of the housing has a concavity that engages a projection form on the connecting portion of the spoke. The magnetic device communicates with a sensing device, which is coupled to a portion of the bicycle that is adjacent to a wheel of the bicycle. A display unit that is mounted on handlebars of the bicycle displays the speed information obtained from the sensing device.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

This invention generally relates to a magnetic assembly for a bicyclemonitoring device. More specifically, the present invention relates amagnetic assembly which includes a magnetic device that mounts on aspecial spoke of a wheel such that the magnetic device remains in apredetermined location on the spoke.

2. Background Information

It is an advantage for modem cyclists to know how fast they are going.This is true in both non-competitive and competitive cycling. To thatend, speedometer devices for bicycles have become commercially popular.Early forms of these devices had various mechanical disadvantages. Onesource of difficulty was the means by which the speedometer devicesensed that the wheel had rotated. Many speedometers attached a countingdevice that protruded from the spoke, and would advance a gear or acounter every time the wheel rotated. But these devices were notreliable and subject to breakdown, bending, stiffening, and shiftingloose from the appropriate position. This led to inductive-type sensors,which did away with the requirement of actual contact betweenspoke-attachment and sensor. But these were not always reliable either,due to magnets weakening, slippage on the spoke, tools required forinstallation, inability to sustain a satisfactory level of tightness,and other reasons.

In view of the above, there exists a need for a magnetic assembly whichovercomes the above mentioned problems in the prior art. This inventionaddresses this need in the prior art as well as other needs, which willbecome apparent to those skilled in the art from this disclosure.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

One object of the present invention is to provide a magnetic assemblythat is relatively easy to install on a spoke such that the magneticdevice does not rotate or move longitudinally along the axis of thespoke.

Another object of the present invention is to provide a magnetic devicethat is inexpensive to manufacture.

Another object of the present invention is to provide a magnetic devicethat can be installed in one step.

Another object of the present invention is to provide a magnetic devicethat requires no tools for installation.

Another object of the present invention is to provide a magnetic devicethat can be used with spokes of a variety of circular cross-sections.

The foregoing objects basically can be obtained by providing a magneticassembly for a bicycle monitoring device. The magnetic assembly includesa spoke and a magnetic housing. The spoke has a first end, a second endand a connecting portion extending between the first and second ends.The magnetic housing has a spoke-receiving recess with a pair of opposedside walls spaced apart by a first predetermined distance to retain thespoke therebetween. Either the spoke or the housing has a projectionextending therefrom and the other of the spoke or the housing has aconcavity for engaging the projection when the spoke is located withinthe spoke-receiving recess.

The foregoing objects basically can be obtained by providing a spoke isprovided for attaching a magnetic housing thereto. The spoke includes afirst attachment end, a second attachment end and a connecting portion.The first attachment end is configured and adapted to be coupled to acorresponding structure of a hub. The second attachment end isconfigured and adapted to be coupled to a corresponding structure of arim. The connecting portion extends between the first and second ends.The connecting portion is with a concavity. This spoke is used with amagnetic device having a spoke-receiving recess having a complementaryprojection.

In accordance with one aspect of the present invention, a spoke isprovided for attaching a magnetic housing thereto. The spoke includes afirst attachment end, a second attachment end and a connecting portion.The first attachment end is configured and adapted to be coupled to acorresponding structure of a hub. The second attachment end isconfigured and adapted to be coupled to a corresponding structure of arim. The connecting portion extends between the first and second ends.The connecting portion is provided with a projection. This spoke is usedwith a magnetic device having a spoke-receiving recess having acomplementary concavity.

These and other objects, features, aspects and advantages of the presentinvention will become apparent to those skilled in the art from thefollowing detailed description, which, taken in conjunction with theannexed drawings, discloses a preferred embodiment of the presentinvention.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Referring now to the attached drawings which form a part of thisoriginal disclosure:

FIG. 1 is a side elevational view of a bicycle with a monitoring devicemounted thereto in accordance with the present invention;

FIG. 2 is a partial front perspective view of a magnetic device mountedon a flat spoke in accordance with a first embodiment of the presentinvention;

FIG. 3 is a partial rear perspective view of the magnetic deviceillustrated in FIG. 2, while mounted on a flat spoke;

FIG. 4 is a front elevational view of the housing of the magnetic deviceillustrated in FIGS. 2 and 3;

FIG. 5 is a rear elevational view of the housing of the magnetic deviceillustrated in FIGS. 3-4;

FIG. 6 is an end elevational view of the housing of the magnetic deviceillustrated in FIGS. 2-5;

FIG. 7 is a front elevational view of a flat spoke that is used with themagnetic device illustrated in FIGS. 2-6;

FIG. 8 is a side elevational view of the flat spoke illustrated in FIG.7;

FIG. 9 is a partial front perspective view of a magnetic device mountedon a flat portion of a spoke in accordance with a second embodiment ofthe present invention;

FIG. 10 is a partial rear perspective view of the magnetic deviceillustrated in FIG. 9, while mounted on the flat portion of the spoke;

FIG. 11 is an end elevational view of the housing of the magnetic deviceillustrated in FIGS. 9 and 10;

FIG. 12 is a partial perspective view of a portion of the spoke that isused in the second embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 13 is a front elevational view of a magnetic device in accordancewith a third embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 14 is a rear elevational view of the housing of the magnetic deviceillustrated in FIGS. 13;

FIG. 15 is an end elevational view of the housing of the magnetic deviceillustrated in FIGS. 13 and 14;

FIG. 16 is a front elevational view of a spoke that is used with themagnetic device illustrated in FIGS. 13-15;

FIG. 17 is a side elevational view of the spoke illustrated in FIG. 16;

FIG. 18 is a front elevational view of a magnetic device in accordancewith a fourth embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 19 is a rear elevational view of the housing of the magnetic deviceillustrated in FIGS. 18;

FIG. 20 is an end elevational view of the housing of the magnetic deviceillustrated in FIGS. 18 and 19;

FIG. 21 is a front elevational view of a spoke that is used with themagnetic device illustrated in FIGS. 18-20;

FIG. 22 is a side elevational view of the spoke illustrated in FIG. 21.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

Referring initially to FIG. 1, a bicycle 10 is illustrated with amonitoring device 12 mounted thereon in accordance with the presentinvention. Bicycles and their various components are well known in theart, and thus, bicycle 10 and its various components will not bediscussed or illustrated in detail herein except for the components thatrelate to the present invention. In other words, only monitoring device12 and the components of bicycle 10 relating thereto will be discussedand/or illustrated herein.

Bicycle 10 basically includes a frame 14, a pair of wheels 16 andhandlebar 17. The bicycle frame 14 has handlebar 18 movably attachedthereto for turning front wheel 16. Each of the wheels 16 areconventional wheels that are rotatably coupled to frame 14 in aconventional manner. Each of the wheels 16 has a hub 18, a plurality ofspokes 19 and a rim 20. Spokes 19 of each of the wheels 16 extendbetween hub 18 and rim 20. While the hubs 18 for the wheels 16 aredifferent in the front and rear wheels, these differences are notimportant to this invention.

Spoke 19 has first attachment end 21, second attachment end 22 and aconnecting portion 23 extending therebetween. First attachment end 21can be adapted to be coupled to the corresponding structure of the hub18. First attachment end 21 is threaded as shown in FIGS. 7 and 8.Second attachment end 22 has a head 27 in the shape of a bent nail headas shown in FIG. 6. Second attachment end 22 can be adapted to becoupled to rim 20 of wheel 16. However, flat spoke 19 can be reversed,so that first attachment end 21 is coupled to rim 20, and secondattachment end is coupled to hub 18. Connecting portion 23 has anon-circular cross-sectional, preferably substantially ellipticalcross-section.

In this embodiment, as seen in FIGS. 7 and 8, spokes 19 are so-calledflat or aerodynamic spokes. Spokes 19 differ from round spokes in thatthey have a substantially elliptical cross-section, where thatcross-section has rounded ends. The cross-sectional length of flat spoke19 is preferably around 2.75 millimeters. Flat spokes 19 are alignedalong hub 18 of wheel 16 so as to decrease wind resistance. Thisdecrease in wind resistance is due to the flattened surface of spoke 19which lies in the same center plane as wheel 16. Thus, flat spokes 19are very desirable in bicycle riding.

Monitoring device 12 is adapted to be fixedly coupled to frame 14,handlebar 17 and one of the spokes 19 of one of the wheels 16. In thisfirst embodiment, monitoring device 12 is especially designed formounting on spoke 19 that has a portion with a non-circularcross-section.

The monitoring device 12 basically includes four parts. In particular,monitoring device 12 basically includes a display unit 24, a wire 25, asensor 26 and a magnetic device 28. All of the parts are basicallyconventional parts that are well known in the bicycle art, except formagnetic device 28 which is the subject of the present invention.Therefore, the display unit 24, wire 25 and sensor 26 will not bediscussed or illustrated in detail herein. One example of a prior artmonitoring device is disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 5,264,791, which isassigned to Cat Eye Incorporated. This U.S. patent is herebyincorporated herein by reference for the purpose of understanding oneparticular use of the magnetic device 28 in accordance with the presentinvention. Accordingly, display unit 24 mentioned above can be of thetype mentioned in this U.S. Pat. or any other prior art device.Similarly, the sensor 26 can be a reed switch or any other type ofmagnetic sensor that is known in the art.

Magnetic device 28 basically includes a magnet 30 and housing 32.Housing 32 is integrally formed as a one-piece unitary member,preferably of lightweight material. For example, housing 32 can bemolded as a one-piece, unitary member from plastic types of materialsthat can accomplish the essence of the present invention. Housing 32 canalso be referred to as a bracket assembly. Housing 32 can alternativelybe made of magnetic or magnetized material, and thus, eliminate the needfor a separate magnet 30. For example, housing 32 can be constructed ofa plastic material with magnetic particles embedded therein. In anycase, the construction of the material for housing 32 of magnetic device28 is preferably lightweight. Magnetic device 28 should have a magnetismthat is strong enough to operate sensor 26 without difficulty duringrotation of wheel 16.

Housing 32 has a body portion 34 and two retaining portions 36 extendingfrom body portion 34. Body portion 34 can be cylindrical in shape.Housing 32 is preferably constructed of a lightweight material such as aresilient plastic. Housing 32 should be of a resilient material toreleasably couple spoke 19 thereto. Body portion 34 has a cylindricalcavity 37 for holding magnet 30, with two semi-circular flanges 38formed at the open end of cavity 37. Semi-circular flanges 38 arearranged to receive a portion of spoke 19 therebetween when housing 32is completely installed on one of the spokes 19, and are molded in sucha way as to be less likely to break off during handling of housing 32.

The two retaining portions 36 are integrally formed with body portion 34and extend in opposite directions from body portion 34. In other words,retaining portions 36 are integrally formed with body portion 34 as aone-piece, unitary member. Retaining portions 36 are channel-shaped toform a spoke-receiving recess 39. Each of the retaining portions 36 hasa bottom wall 40 and two side walls 42.

Each bottom wall 40 of each retaining portion 36 has an aperture 43 fordecreasing weight of housing 32, and increasing flexibility. The twoside walls 42 and bottom wall 40 extend outward from body portion 34.Side walls 42 are substantially parallel to each other and also extendsubstantially perpendicular to the bottom wall 40. Side walls 42 arespaced apart from each other by a predetermined distance B except alongdetents 48.

Side walls 42 have detents 48 for holding and securing flat spoke 19 viaa snap-fit. Preferably, each side wall 42 has two detents 48 that arelongitudinally spaced apart from each other along spoke-receiving recess35. Each detent 48 has a curved outer surface 52 for inserting flatspoke 19. Each detent 48 also has an inner retaining surface 54. Sidewalls 42 and detents 48 form an opening 46 through which flat spoke 19can be inserted beneath detents 48. Each retaining portion 36 isflexible so that it can move slightly outwardly to expand thespoke-receiving recess 39 as flat spoke 19 passes into opening 46. Theopposing detents 48 are separated from each other by a predetermineddistance C.

Bottom wall 40, side walls 42, and the two detents 48 together form aspoke receiving recess 39. This spoke-receiving recess 39 has across-sectional shape of an oval or racetrack, with rounded ends 56, asshown in FIG. 6. Spoke-receiving recess 39 preferably has a lengthbetween approximately 10 millimeters and 30 millimeters, preferablyaround 18 millimeters.

After the flat portion of spoke 19 is initially inserted intospoke-receiving recess 39, housing 32 is then rotated about the axis offlat spoke 19, so that the rounded ends 56 match up with rounded ends ofspoke 19. This matching up of surfaces, in combination with innerretaining surface 54 of detent 48, acts to snap-fit spoke 19 intospoke-receiving recess 50. Alternatively, housing 32 can be made of amore elastic material, so that detents 48 could become optional, and thesnap-fit is replaced by an elastic fit as in a subsequent embodimentdiscussed below.

The bottom wall 40 is spaced from inner retaining surfaces 54 by apredetermined distance A. It is an important feature of this inventionthat, as shown in FIG. 6, distance A be less than distance B, so thathousing 32 will more accurately fit the shape of spoke 19. This resultsin housing 32 not rotating about the axis of the spoke 19, and alsoorients housing 32 to activate sensor 26.

As shown in FIG. 6, opening 46 (distance C) is smaller thanspoke-receiving recess 39 (distance B). This contributes to the snap-fitof housing 32 around the flat portion of spoke 19. Also, housing 32 willhave a reduced tendency to work loose from the flat portion of spoke 19,and will remain in place more effectively.

During installation, housing 32 is pressed against spoke 19. At first,detents 48 resist the centerward motion of flat spoke 19, but being madeof flexible plastic, can yield to a slight degree. Also, each detent 48has a curved outer surface which assists in the flat portion of spoke 19passing through opening 46. While the installer exerts pressure onhousing 32 during installation, detents 48 are forced radially outwardfrom the center axis of spoke-receiving recess 39. After the flatportion of spoke 19 passes by detents 48, side walls 42 spring back toreturn to their original positions. In doing so, inner retainingsurfaces 54 engage the flat portion of spoke 19 to hold spoke 19 againstthe bottom wall 40 of the spoke-receiving recess 39 with a slightpressing force. Thus, housing 32 is frictional retained on spoke 19 tosubstantially prevent longitudinal movement of magnetic device 12 alongthe longitudinal axis of spoke 19.

Because housing 32 is snap-fitted, secured by detents 48 applyingcontinual pressure, and very light in weight, no further securing means,such as a screw or a cover, is necessary. Another advantage is thathousing 32 is less likely than conventional art to rotate out ofposition during use, because rounded ends of spoke-receiving recess 39can more effectively grip rounded ends of flat spoke 19. Also, becauseof its snap-fit characteristics, housing 32 can be can be installed inone step, and requires no tools for installation.

SECOND EMBODIMENT

Referring now to FIGS. 9-12, a magnetic device 128 is illustrated inaccordance with another embodiment of the present invention. In view ofthe similarities between this embodiment and the prior embodiment, thisembodiment will not be discussed or illustrated in detail. Rather, itwill be apparent to those skilled in the art from this disclosure thatthe most of the parts and descriptions of the prior embodiments alsoapply to the similar or identical parts of this embodiment.

In a second embodiment, housing 132 is constructed of an elasticmaterial, and detents 148 are optional. The term “elastic” as usedhereinafter can include materials with some plastic deformation. In anyevent, the elastic material should substantially return to its initialform or state after being deformed. Thus, magnetic device 128 can berepeatedly installed, removed, and reinstalled, without significantlyaffecting the shape of housing 132.

Referring initially to FIG. 10, the magnetic device 128 can comprise amagnet 130 and housing 132. As stated, housing 132 is constructed of alightweight elastomeric material, having elastic properties.

As shown in FIG. 11, the cross-sectional length B′ of spoke-receivingrecess is slightly smaller than the cross-sectional width D of the flatportion of spoke 119. For example, length or distance B′ isapproximately 2.5 millimeters and the flat portion of spoke 119 has across-sectional width D of approximately 2.75 millimeters. Accordingly,housing 132 elastically grips the flat portion of spoke 119. Thus,housing 132 will remain in place more effectively.

Housing 132 is integrally formed as a one-piece unitary member,preferably of lightweight material. For example, housing 132 can bemolded as a one-piece, unitary member from an elastomeric material thatcan accomplish the essence of the present invention. Housing 132 canalso be referred to as a bracket assembly. Housing 132 can alternativelybe made of magnetic or magnetized material, and thus, eliminate the needfor a separate magnet 130. For example, housing 132 can be constructedof an elastomeric material with magnetic particles embedded therein.Magnetic device 128 should have a magnetism that is strong enough tooperate sensor 26 without difficulty during rotation of wheel 16.

Housing 132 has a body portion 134 and two retaining portions 136extending from body portion 134. Body portion 134 can be cylindrical inshape. Housing 132 should be of a resilient material to releasablycouple spoke 119 thereto. Body portion 134 has a cavity 137 for holdingmagnet 130, with two semi-circular flanges 138 formed at the open end ofcavity 137. Semi-circular flanges 138 are arranged to receive a flatportion of spoke 119 therebetween when housing 132 is completelyinstalled on one of the spokes 119. Retaining portions 136 arechannel-shaped to form a spoke-receiving recess 139. Each of theretaining portions 136 has a bottom wall 140 and two side walls 142.

Each bottom wall 140 of each retaining portion 136 has an aperture 143for decreasing weight of housing 132, and increasing flexibility. Thetwo side walls 142 and bottom wall 140 extend outward from body portion134. Side walls 142 are substantially parallel to each other and alsoextend substantially perpendicular to the bottom wall 140. Side walls142 are spaced apart from each other by a predetermined distance Bexcept along detents 148.

Side walls 142 can optionally have detents 148 for further holding andsecuring flat surface of spoke 19 via an elastic fit. Preferably, eachside wall 142 has two detents 148 that are longitudinally spaced apartfrom each other along spoke receiving recess 35. Each detent 148 has acurved outer surface 152 for inserting spoke 119. Each detent 148 alsohas an inner retaining surface 154. Side walls 142 and detents 148 forman opening 146 through which spoke 119 can be inserted beneath detents148. Each retaining portion 136 is flexible so that it can move slightlyoutwardly to expand the spoke-receiving recess 139 as flat surface ofspoke 119 passes into opening 146.

Bottom wall 140 and side walls 142 and the two detents 148 together forma spoke-receiving recess 139. This spoke-receiving recess 139 has across-sectional shape of an oval or racetrack, with rounded ends 156, asshown in FIG. 11. Spoke-receiving recess 139 preferably has a lengthbetween approximately 10 millimeters and 30 millimeters, preferablyaround 18 millimeters. Detents 48 are optional in this embodiment sincethat spoke 119 is held within spoke-receiving recess 139 by an elasticfit.

The bottom wall 140 is spaced from inner retaining surfaces 154 by apredetermined distance A. As shown in FIG. 11, distance A be less thandistance B′, so that housing 132 will more accurately fit the shape offlat portion of spoke 119. This prevents housing 132 from rotating aboutthe axis of the spoke 119, and also orients housing 132 to activatesensor 26.

As shown in FIG. 11, opening 146 (distance C) is smaller than spokereceiving recess 139 (distance B′). This contributes to the elastic fitof housing 132 around flat portion of spoke 119. Thus, housing 132 willhave a reduced tendency to work loose from the flat portion of spoke119, and will remain in place more effectively.

Also, as shown in FIGS. 11 and 12, cross-sectional length of flatsection of spoke 119 (distance D) is larger than distance B′. Distance Dis preferably around 2.75 millimeters, and distance B′ is preferablyaround 2.5 millimeters. Because spoke-receiving recess 139 is smallerthan spoke 119, the elastic properties of housing 132 will cause sidewalls 142 to push against flat surface of spoke 119. This will increasethe gripping force of housing 132 on flat surface of spoke 119.

THIRD EMBODIMENT

Referring now to FIGS. 13-17, a magnetic device 238 is illustrated inaccordance with another embodiment of the present invention. Magneticdevice 228 is designed to be used with monitoring device 12 of FIG. 1.This third embodiment of the magnetic device 228 is substantiallyidentical to the prior embodiments, except that a projection 257 isprovided on the housing 232 and the spoke 219 is provided with aconcavity 258. For example, housing 232 can be dimensioned to have asnap fit configuration or an elastic fit configuration. Also, magneticdevice 228 of this embodiment can be used with a variety of spokes,e.g., round, elliptical or flat. In view of the similarities betweenthis embodiment and the prior embodiment, this embodiment will not bediscussed or illustrated in detail. Rather, it will be apparent to thoseskilled in the art from this disclosure that the various parts anddescriptions of the prior embodiments apply to the similar or identicalparts of this embodiment.

Housing 232 can have magnet 230, body portion 234, and retainingportions 236. Retaining portions 236 are channel-shaped to form aspoke-receiving recess 239. Each of the retaining portions 236 has abottom wall 240 and two side walls 242. Bottom wall 240, side walls 242,and two detents 248 together form spoke-receiving recess 239. Thisspoke-receiving recess 239 has a cross-sectional shape of an oval orracetrack, with rounded ends 256, as shown in FIG. 15. Housing 232 alsohas a projection 257 formed from bottom wall 240 of one of the retainingportions 236. The projection 257 extends outward approximately 0.7millimeters. Spoke 219 has a corresponding concave surface 258, as shownin FIGS. 16 and 17, for accommodating projection 257. This matching upof projection 257 to concave surface or concavity 258 acts to firthersecure spoke 219 into spoke-receiving recess 239, and prevent relativemovement between spoke 219 and housing 232.

FOURTH EMBODIMENT

Referring now to FIGS. 18-22, a magnetic device 328 is illustrated inaccordance with another embodiment of the present invention. Magneticdevice 328 is designed to be used with monitoring device 12 of FIG. 1.This fourth embodiment of the magnetic device 328 is substantiallyidentical to the prior embodiments, except that a projection 357 isprovided on the spoke 319 and housing 332 is provided with a concavity358. For example, housing 332 can be dimensioned to have a snap-fitconfiguration or an elastic fit configuration. Also, magnetic device 328of this embodiment can be used with a variety of spokes, e.g., round,elliptical or flat. In view of the similarities between this embodimentand the prior embodiment, this embodiment will not be discussed orillustrated in detail. Rather, it will be apparent to those skilled inthe art from this disclosure that the various parts and descriptions ofthe prior embodiments apply to the similar or identical parts of thisembodiment.

Housing 332 can have magnet 330, body portion 334, and retainingportions 236. Retaining portions 336 are channel-shaped to form aspoke-receiving recess 339. Each of the retaining portions 336 has abottom wall 340 and two side walls 342. Bottom wall 340, side walls 342,and two detents 348 together form spoke-receiving recess 339. Thisspoke-receiving recess 339 has a cross-sectional shape of an oval orracetrack, with rounded ends 356, as shown in FIG. 20. As shown in FIGS.21 and 22, spoke 319 also has a projection 357 formed from its surface.Housing 332 has a corresponding concave surface 358 in one of itsretaining walls 336, as shown in FIG. 20, for accommodating projection357. This matching up of projection 357 to concave surface or concavity358 acts to further secure spoke 319 into spoke receiving recess 339,and prevent relative movement between spoke 319 and housing 332.

While several embodiments have been chosen to illustrate the presentinvention, it will be apparent to those skilled in the art from thisdisclosure that various changes and modifications can be made hereinwithout departing from the scope of the invention as defined in theappended claims. Furthermore, the foregoing description of theembodiments according to the present invention are provided forillustration only, and not for the purpose of limiting the invention asdefined by the appended claims and their equivalents.

What is claimed is:
 1. A magnetic assembly for a bicycle monitoringdevice, comprising: a spoke having a first end, a second end and aconnecting portion extending between said first and second ends; and amagnetic housing having a spoke-receiving recess with a pair of opposedside walls spaced apart by a first predetermined distance to retain saidspoke therebetween, one of said spoke and said housing having aprojection extending therefrom and the other of said spoke and saidhousing having a concavity engaging said projection when said spoke islocated within said spoke-receiving recess.
 2. A magnetic assemblyaccording to claim 1, wherein said concavity is formed on said spoke,and said projection is formed on said housing.
 3. A magnetic assemblyaccording to claim 2, wherein said connecting portion of said spokeincludes at least one flat section with said concavity formed thereon.4. A magnetic device according to claim 3, wherein said projection islocated on a bottom wall of said housing between said side walls of saidhousing.
 5. A magnetic assembly according to claim 1, wherein saidprojection is formed on said spoke, and said concavity is formed on saidhousing.
 6. A magnetic assembly according to claim 5, wherein saidconnecting portion of said spoke includes at least one flat section withsaid projection formed thereon.
 7. A magnetic device according to claim6, wherein said concavity is located on a bottom wall of said housingbetween said side walls of said housing.
 8. A magnetic assemblyaccording to claim. 1, wherein said housing is integrally formed as aone-piece, unitary member.
 9. A magnetic assembly according to claim 1,wherein said housing is constructed of magnetic material.
 10. A magneticassembly according to claim 1, wherein said housing further includes abody portion with a cavity adapted to receive a magnet within saidcavity.
 11. A magnetic assembly according to claim 1, wherein one ofside walls of said housing further includes a first detent extendinginto said spoke-receiving recess.
 12. A magnetic assembly according toclaim 11, wherein said at least one detent has a retaining surface thatis opposed to a bottom wall located between said side walls, said sidewalls being spaced apart by a first predetermined distance at said atleast one detent, and portions of said side walls located between saidbottom wall and said retaining surface being spaced apart by a secondpredetermined distance, said first predetermined distance being smallerthan said second predetermined distance.
 13. A magnetic device accordingto claim 12, wherein said at least one detent has a retaining surfacethat is opposed to a bottom wall between said side walls and spaced fromsaid bottom wall by a third predetermined distance, said thirdpredetermined distance being smaller than said second predetermineddistance.
 14. A magnetic device according to claim 11, wherein said atleast one detent has a retaining surface that is opposed to a bottomwall located between said side walls, portions of said side wallslocated between said bottom wall and said retaining surface being spacedapart by a first predetermined distance, said retaining surface beingspaced from said bottom wall by a second predetermined distance, saidfirst predetermined distance being greater than said secondpredetermined distance.
 15. A spoke for attaching a magnetic housingthereto, comprising: a first attachment end configured and adapted to becoupled to a corresponding structure of a hub; a second attachment endconfigured and adapted to be coupled to a corresponding structure of arim; and a connecting portion extending between said first and secondends, said connecting portion being provided with a concavity.
 16. Aspoke according to claim 15, wherein said connecting portion of saidspoke includes at least one flat section with said concavity formedthereon.
 17. A spoke for attaching a magnetic housing thereto,comprising: a first attachment end configured and adapted to be coupledto a corresponding structure of a hub; a second attachment endconfigured and adapted to be coupled to a corresponding structure of arim; and a connecting portion extending between said first and secondends, said connecting portion being provided with a projection.
 18. Aspoke according to claim 17, wherein said connecting portion of saidspoke includes at least one flat section with said projection formedthereon.